The latest John Rocker MLB and fantasy baseball news

ESPN.com reports former MLB RP John Rocker said in a radio interview that MLB commissioner Bud Selig knew he failed a drug test in 2000 and that doctors for the league and the players association advised him and other Texas Rangers players on how to effectively use steroids. Rocker also said he believes 40 to 50 percent of baseball players are on steroids.

ESPN.com reports former major league P John Rocker, in an interview with ESPN Radio, stated that he never purchased human growth hormone with a prescription. Rocker stated that doctors advised him to take over-the-counter supplements that would increase his HGH levels, but that he never had a prescription. A report had linked Rocker to an Alabama pharmacy that had allegedly been selling performance-enhancing drugs and was raided. Rocker's story also contradicted a report in the New York Daily News in which Rocker's publicist said that Rocker admitted using HGH, but only for medical reasons.

ESPN.com reports former Major League Baseball pitcher John Rocker believes Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen will not get anything out of attending a sensitivity training course as punishment for a homophobic slur Guillen made towards a Chicago journalist. "The guy told me when I got there I had to show up to make it look good for people, so after about 15 minutes I left and walked right out of the room and it satisfied the powers that be," Rocker told the Chicago Tribune. "It was a farce, a way for the scared little man, Bud Selig, to get people off his [backside]." "This is a free country. If he wants to use a lewd term, he should be able to use a lewd term," Rocker added. "Can't you use a lewd term in America if you want?"

The Associated Press reports former MLB RP John Rocker and Atlanta Falcons LB Keith Brooking have received preliminary approval for a residential development. Rocker and Brooking are part of Southern Boys Investment Group, which wants to develop vacant land near Crestview, Fla. The City Council approved annexation and rezoning of the property. A conceptual drawing submitted to the city by Southern Boys calls for sections of town houses and apartments on 64 acres.

FOXSports.com reports former MLB RP John Rocker claims the fans' hatred for him is comparable to the racism Jackie Robinson and Hank Aaron faced in their careers. "I've taken a lot of crap from a lot of people," Rocker said. "Probably more than anybody in the history of this sport. I know Hank (Aaron) and Jackie (Robinson) took a good deal of crap, but I guarantee it wasn't for six years. I just keep thinking: How much am I supposed to take?"

The Associated Press reports former MLB RP John Rocker, attempting to come back to the majors with the Long Island Ducks of the Independent League, got into a verbal exchange with a fan after another rocky outing Tuesday, May 3. As Rocker left the field, Dave Macken of Atlantic City, a Surf fan sitting near the visitors dugout, yelled, "It's a long way from Atlanta." Rocker replied, "I'm still a millionaire" and followed with profanity, Macken told The Press of Atlantic City. Macken said the two then exchanged profanities. Rocker recalled the exchange differently. "Call me what you want, but don't start cussing at me like that," he was quoted as telling the paper. "That's just wrong."

The Associated Press reports free agent RP John Rocker (shoulder) had surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff and hopes to be throwing again early in 2004. "I've just been beating my head against a wall, last year and this year, why I wasn't throwing well, and why I couldn't snap a good breaking ball or throw a good fastball," said Rocker. The surgery was performed by Dr. James Andrews.